Andrea Jovine: Designing Her World and Ours

By By Jane Kendall

Calling Andrea Jovine a fashion designer is a little like saying that Faberge made nice eggs. With Andrea, as with the fabled jeweler of St. Petersburg, designer is clearly an umbrella term. While she is best known for her sophisticated and eminently wearable women's apparel, hers is an all-encompassing creativity. Interior design, which now occupies as much of her considerable energy as does fashion, was a natural segue. Just as she always knew how to put together a look, she always knew how to put together a room. "It's all the same thing," she says. "I think my design philosophy for fashion is the same as for the home. It's all about a lot of style, but comfortable and functional. And that translates to the home."

Here's a random peek into her portfolio. A slim, understated suit in charcoal gray knit, enhanced with bands of butterscotch suede; a peasant blouse no peasant ever wore, in floating black silk with delicate white embroidery; a suavely cut jacket and brisk white shirt over narrow trousers and a boldly slung belt; have-to-have handbags and eye-catching textured hosiery; gloves and shoes; and witty little reading glasses so stylish you long to have a need for them.